Media Studies is a vast field of study that deals with a critical or cultural analysis of various media formats and their effect on society. There are various specializations under media studies but the core discipline is mass media/ mass communication, where the students are taught to use various media to convey information.
Some of the important subjects that are taught in media courses are Journalism, Mass Communication, Computer Application, English & Hindi Language, Photography, Indian Society & Culture, Radio Journalism & Audio Editing, Indian Government & Politics, Online Media Production, Advertising & Public relation, Video Editing & Post Production, Press Law & Ethics, etc.
Media Courses are available at various levels of study i.e, bachelors, master, doctorate, diploma, and certificate. Courses are also available in various specializations of media studies like Journalism, Film Studies, Multimedia, etc. But this article is particularly based on media studies.
The admission into the media courses is based on the entrance examination. There are various institutes that offer these courses in India. The average course fee ranges from INR 1,300 to INR 12,00,000.
The media study graduates find jobs in media, cultural, and creative industries. Their areas of work include television & radio, film, and entertainment, digital media, computer games, journalism, writing & publishing, PR & media practice, etc.
Some of the jobs available for media graduates are Producer, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Editor, Content Writer, Copywriter, Journalist, Advertising Specialist, Digital Marketer, Marketing Executive, etc. The average salary ranges from INR 4.5 lakh to INR 12 lakh per annum
The employers who would hire such graduates include Communication agencies, Civil services, Academic Institutions, Local government, Marketing organizations, Media Companies, Newspaper industry, PR consultancy, Publishing companies, TV & Radio companies, etc.
Media Courses Highlights
The details about media courses are mentioned in brief in the table below:
| Popular Courses |
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| Duration |
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| Eligibility |
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| Average Fee |
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| Online Courses | Available |
| Types of Online Courses | Available through Udemy, Coursera, Alison, etc. |
| Top Job Prospects | Producer, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Editor, Content Writer, Copywriter, Journalist, Advertising Specialist, Digital Marketer, Marketing Executive, etc |
| Average Salary |
|
Certificate Media Courses
- Certificate in media courses is a 6 month to a 1-year program that can be pursued after compilation or 10+2 from a recognized institute.
- Certificate courses are available in various areas of media like journalism, film studies, acting, animation & graphic designing, etc.
- It is a short term course that offers hands-on experience and helps the candidates get entry-level jobs.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 5K to INR 5 lakh.
This course should be pursued by those who want to learn it as a hobby. This short term course will offer practical knowledge of the skills they want to learn. The average salary ranges from INR 2 lakh to INR 16 lakh per annum.
Online Certificate Courses
Some of the online media courses that offer certification is mentioned below:
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Media Studies | Queen’s University | 6 month | USD 500 |
| Media Studies & Practice | Lynn University | 6 month | USD 740 |
| Certificate in Journalism & Mass Communication | National Institute of Mass Communication | 6 months | INR 40,000 |
| Online Certificate in Film Production | Vancouver Film School | 22 weeks | USD 950 |
Offline Certificate Courses
The offline certificate courses available in media are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Name | Duration | Average Course Fee | Top Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Media Studies | 1 year | INR 5,000 - 5,00,000 | Jesus and Mary College |
| Certificate Course in Journalism | 1 year | INR 5,000 - 5,00,000 | Jamshedpur Women’s College |
| Certificate in Animation & Game Design | 6 months | INR 5,000 - 20,000 | Arena Animation |
How to get admission?
- The admission into the certificate courses is based on the entrance exam followed by counseling.
- The candidates can apply through the official website of the institute.
- The selected candidates will be notified through email.
Top Institutes for Certificate Courses
Some of the top institutes that offer certificate courses in media are mentioned in the table below:
| NIRF Ranking | Institute Name | Location | Annual Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Madras Christian College | Chennai | INR 3,000 |
| 37 | Jesus and Mary College | New Delhi | INR 15,000 |
Diploma Media Courses
- Diploma in media courses is a 1-year course that can be pursued after completion of 10+2 from a recognized board.
- PG Diploma in media courses is a 1-2 year course that can be pursued after completion of graduation.
- These diploma courses are short term programs that provide an introduction to various areas of media and also provide hands-on experience on the expertise the candidates choose.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 10000 to INR 2 lakh.
The diploma courses can be taken by anyone who wants to build a career in this field and want some entry-level jobs. Whereas PG diplomas should be taken by those who want to shift their career from any other field to media. The average salary ranges from INR 3 lakh to 10 lakh per annum.
The diploma courses available in Media are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Name | Duration | Average Course Fee | Top Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma in Media Studies | 1 year | INR 10,000 - 1.5 lakh | Calicut University |
| Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication | 1 year | INR 14,000 - 80K | Xavier Institute of Communication Indian Film & Television Institute |
| PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication | 1 - 2 year | INR 10,000- 2 lakh | Indian Institute of Mass Communication University of Mysore |
How to get admission?
- The admission into the diploma and PG diploma courses are based on entrance exams conducted by the particular institute.
- Some of the institutes also offer direct admission.
- The entrance tests usually test the candidate’s general knowledge and aptitude.
- The candidates can apply through the official website of the institute.
Some of the entrance tests available for admission into diploma and PG diploma courses are:
- XIC OET - It refers to the Xavier Institute of Communication Online Entrance Test. It is an entrance test conducted by the Xavier Institute of Communication for admission into various PG courses in the field of mass communication.
- IIMC - It is a university level entrance exam conducted by Indian Institute of Mass Communication for admission into PG Diploma courses offered by the Institute.
Top Institutes for Diploma Courses
Some of the top institutes offering diploma and PG diploma courses in media are mentioned in the table below:
| Institute Name | Location | Annual Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alison | Online | Free |
| Amity University | Online | INR 1,20,000 |
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | Online | INR 4,200 |
| Indian Institute of Mass Communication | New Delhi | INR 87,000 |
| AAFT School of Journalism and Mass Communication | Noida | INR 65,000 |
| Indian Film and Television Institute | Meerut | INR 80,000 |
| Xavier Institute of Communication | Mumbai | INR 3,25,230 |
| Madras Christian College | Chennai | INR 20,000 |
| Calicut University | Calicut | INR 30,000 |
| Pacific University | Udaipur | INR 30,000 |
Bachelor Media Courses
- Media courses at the UG level are available in both arts and science domain.
- It is a 3-year program that can be pursued after completion of 10+2 in any stream.
- The minimum eligibility required to apply for this course is at least 55% aggregate in 10+2.
- This course provides an introduction to all forms of media. That may include their history, origin, and effects.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 10K to INR 12 lakh.
This course can be pursued by anyone who wants to build a career in the media, cultural, or creative industries. This can be considered as a first step to understand various media and later they can choose the media that interests them. The average salary ranges from INR 1.5 lakh to INR 3 lakh per annum.
The media courses available at the undergraduate level are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Name | Duration | Average Course Fee | Top Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA in Media Studies | 3 year | INR 15K - 3.1 lakh | Delhi University Christ University |
| Bachelors of Mass Media (BMM) | 3 years | INR 10K - 2 lakh | Madras Christian College St. Xaviers, Mumbai |
| BSc in Media Communication | 3 years | INR 70K - 1 lakh | CMR University NSHM |
| BA Mass Communication | 3 years | INR 1 - 12 lakh | Symbiosis Centre for Media & Communication Birla Institute of Liberal Arts & Management Science |
| BA Multimedia | 3 years | INR 40K - 1 lakh | St. Joseph College of Communication Calicut University |
| BA Journalism and Mass Communication | 3 years | INR 3.45 lakh | Shoolini University, Solan |
How to get admission?
- Admission into the bachelor courses is based on the university-level entrance examinations. Some of the institutes also take direct admission based on previous academic scores.
- The candidates can apply to the institutes through the official website.
- They will have to create an account to fill out the application form.
- The dates for the entrance exam and the results will be notified through email.
- The candidates clearing the cut-off will be selected to join the course.
Some of the entrance exams available for admission into bachelors courses are:
- CUET - It is a common entrance test conducted by Christ University for admission into various courses offered by the Institute.
- SET - It is a common entrance test conducted for admission into various courses offered by Symbiosis Institutes.
Some of the top institutes that offer bachelor courses in media are mentioned in the table below:
| NIRF Ranking | Institute Name | Location | Annual Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | Manipal | INR 2,08,000 |
| 10 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | INR 7,200 |
| 30 | Mahatma Gandhi University | Kottayam | INR 48,000 |
| 43 | Indraprastha College for Women | New Delhi | INR 1,15,000 |
| 54 | Calicut University | Calicut | INR 48,000 |
| 90 | St. Xaviers College | Mumbai | INR 36,009 |
| - | Christ University | Bangalore | INR 60,500 |
| - | Karunya Institute of Technology and Science | Coimbatore | INR 95,750 |
| - | University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) | Dehradun | INR 1,62,166 |
| - | Centurion University of Technology and Management | Paralakhemundi | INR 50,000 |
Master Media Courses
- Master Courses in Media are a 2-year program that can be pursued after completion of a bachelor's degree in Media Studies or any other related fields.
- The minimum eligibility required is 50% aggregate in graduation in the arts field.
- This course teaches students the skills for media research and production that contribute towards media, culture, and society.
- Some of the topics that will be covered in the master’s courses are Philosophy of Research, Video Production, Reading Film, Cyberculture, Community Radio, etc.
- Management courses is also available in media that teach effective skills for media management.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 20K to 1.5 lakh per annum.
This course can be taken as a higher study for candidates who have completed a bachelor's in media studies. It can also be taken by students from arts backgrounds who want to specialize in media. The average salary ranges from INR 2 lakh to 10 lakh per annum.
Top Master Courses in Media
Media Courses available at the postgraduate level are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Name | Duration | Average Course Fee | Average Salary | Top Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA in Culture & Media Studies | 2 years | INR 20K - 1.5 lakh | INR 3 - 10 lakh | TISS Mumbai Central University of Rajasthan |
| MA in Journalism & Mass Communication | 2 years | INR 5K - 5 lakh | INR 4.5 - 6 lakh | Banaras Hindu University Jamia Millia Islamia |
| MBA in Media Management | 2 years | INR 4 - 15 lakh | INR 2 - 10 lakh | IIM Indore IIM Udaipur |
How to get admission?
- Admission into the master courses is based on the entrance examination. No common exam is conducted for this course. The institutes conduct their examination.
- The candidates can apply through the official website of the institute.
- The candidates will be shortlisted based on the marks scored in the entrance examination.
- The candidates who have cleared the cut-off will be shortlisted for group discussion and a personal interview.
Some of the entrance examinations for admission into master-level courses are:
- TISSNET - It is a common entrance examination for admission into various UG and PG courses offered by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
- MET - It is an institute-level entrance examination conducted by Manipal University for admission into various courses offered by the university. Some of the top institutes offering master courses in Media are mentioned in the table below:
| NIRF Ranking | Institute Name | Location | Annual Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | INR 4,620 |
| 7 | St. Xaviers College | Kolkata | INR 1,79,000 |
| 10 | Jamia Millia Islamia | New Delhi | INR 10,000 |
| 17 | Aligarh Muslim University | New Delhi | INR 1,18,570 |
| 43 | Symbiosis International | Pune | INR 4,60,000 |
| - | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 85,000 |
| - | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith | Varanasi | INR 7,840 |
| - | Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth | Pune | INR 55,000 |
Doctorate Media Courses
- Doctorate courses are research-oriented courses that can be done after completion of master’s courses in the field of media.
- The doctorate courses range from 1.5 years to 3 years. The duration can increase up to 5 years depending upon the thesis work.
- The minimum eligibility required to apply for this course is a minimum 55% aggregate in post-graduation.
- The average course fee ranges from INR 1.3K to INR 95K per annum.
This course can be taken by those who plan to conduct research in the field of media and want to publish research papers in this field. The average salary ranges from INR 4 lakh to INR 12 lakh per annum
The top doctorate-level courses available in media are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Name | Duration | Average Course Fee | Average Salary | Top Institutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Phil in Media Studies | 1.5 years | INR 50K - 70K | INR 20K - 25K per month | - |
| Ph.D. in Media Studies | 3 - 5 years | INR 1.3K - 95K | INR 4 - 12 lakh | JNU Chandigarh University |
| Ph.D. Mass Communication & Ph.D. Journalism | 3 years | INR 4,80,000 | NA | Shoolini University, Solan |
How to get admission?
- The admission into the entrance examination is based on the entrance test conducted by the particular department of an Institute.
- The admissions for doctorate courses are conducted twice a year i.e., January and May.
- The candidates who have qualified for exams NET, SET, GATE, etc are exempted from the entrance examinations.
- Even the candidates who have completed their M.Phil and want to apply for a PhD will also be exempted from the entrance examination.
- The candidates will be selected based on the marks scored in the qualifying exam, previous academic history, personal interview, and project topic.
Some of the entrance exams for admission into doctorate courses are:
- UGC-NET - It is a national-level examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into PhD courses offered by various institutes.
- JNUEE - It is an entrance exam conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University for admission into M.Phil and Ph.D courses offered by the institute.
Some of the top institutes that offer doctorate courses in media studies are mentioned in the table below:
| NIRF Ranking | Institute Name | Location | Annual Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi | INR 1,381 |
| 9 | Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune | INR 24,000 |
| 34 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences | Mumbai | INR 70,000 |
| 37 | Amity School of Communication | Noida | INR 50,000 |
| - | Indira Gandhi National Tribal University | Amarkantak | INR 15,000 |
| - | Christ University | Bangalore | INR 30,000 |
| - | Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication | Bhopal | INR 92,900 |
| - | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 17,000 |
| - | Sharda University | Greater Noida | INR 50,000 |
Jobs available after Media Courses
Media is a creative field and it offers a variety of jobs. The candidates can usually find jobs in television & radio, film, and entertainment, digital media, computer games, journalism, writing & publishing, PR & media practice, etc. Some of the job options are explained below:
Journalist
The work of a journalist is to carry out research for the news articles that will be featured in newspapers, magazines, television, etc. They have to make sure that the information is relevant and have to prepare it in a way to grasp the audience’s attention.
Average Salary: INR 3,59,237
Skills Required:
- Editing
- Online Research
- Writing Procedures and Documentation
- Technical Writing
- Copywriting
Editor
The editor’s work is to provide a finer version of articles, stories, etc. They usually work with the writers and refine their styles, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes.
Average Salary: INR 3,98,944
Skills Required:
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Content Management
- Project Management
- Copywriting
Producer
The television/ movie producer has to supervise all aspects of a creative project like music, movie, games, TV program, etc. Their responsibility includes works like reviewing the script, finding funding, ensuring that the staff is working properly, etc.
Average Salary: INR 10,00,000
Skills Required:
- Production Management
- Project Management
- Budgeting
Advertising Specialist
They are responsible for planning and executing advertising programs for their company or clients. They also assign, supervise, and review activities of the advertising team.
Average Salary: INR 4,96,372
Skills Required:
- Advertising
- Creative
- Project Management
Content Writer
Their work is to create, write, and edit different types of content like blog entries, website content, articles, social media postings, emails, ads, etc. They can be found in various industries like publishing houses, production houses, marketing, technical fields, etc.
Average Salary: INR 2,88,831
Skills Required:
- Content Management
- Blogging
- Editing
- Copywriting
- English Language
Skills Required in Media Courses
Media courses cover various topics and thus teach the candidates multiple skills. Some of the skills have been explained below:
Strong Communication Skills
It is an act of interacting with someone or an act of passing information in a way that others understand.
Top Courses for Communication Skills
Some of the top online communication skills that the candidates can refer to are mentioned below:
| Rating | Course Name | Provider | Duration | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 | Diploma in Communication Skills | Alison | 10 - 15 hours | Free |
| 3.5 | Introduction to Communication Skills | Alison | 1.5 - 3 hours | Free |
| 4.5 | Improving Communication Skills | Coursera | 4 weeks | Free |
| 4.7 | Communication Skills: Become Clear, Concise, and Confident | Udemy | 1 hour | INR 1.920 |
| 4.4 | Communication Fundamentals: How to communicate better | Udemy | 1.5 hours | INR 8,640 |
Communication Skill Syllabus
Some of the topics that are included in the communication skill courses are mentioned in the table below:
| Understanding the communicative environment | Listening & Speaking | Virtual and Aural Perception |
| Nonverbal Communication | Group Dynamics | Conflicts and Networking |
| Introduction to Persuasion | Introduction to Motivation | - |
Communication Skill Job Positions
A good communication skill is required in almost every job criteria. In the media industry, it is highly required and those with excellent communication skills can land into jobs like:
- Interpreter
- Journalist
- News Reader
- Reporter
- TV Presenter
Excellent Writing Skills
Writing is an ability and knowledge related to expressing ideas through written words. This ability is in high demand for employers in any industry.
Top Courses for Writing Skills
Some of the top online writing skills that the candidates can refer to improve their writing skills or to become a professional writer are mentioned below:
| Rating | Course Name | Provider | Duration | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 | English Writing Skills | Alison | 1.5 - 3 hours | Free |
| 4.7 | Advanced Writing | Coursera | 20 hours | Free |
| 4.8 | Good with words: Writing & Editing | Coursera | 4 months | Free |
| 4.4 | English Writing Skills | Udemy | 3.5 hours | INR 1,280 |
| 4.5 | Writing with Flair: How to become an exceptional writer | Udemy | 7 hours | INR 8,640 |
| 4.4 | Writing with Confidence: Writing Beginner to Writing Pro | Udemy | 5.5 hours | INR 8,640 |
Writing Course Syllabus
Some of the topics that are included in the writing courses are mentioned below:
| English Writing | Story Writing | Description of Writing |
| Science Fiction, Instructional, Opinionative, and Poetry Writing | Reflective Writing | English Writing Skills |
Writing Job Positions
Writing skills are important in various jobs, we have mentioned some of them below:
- Fiction Writer
- Content Writer
- Editor
- Copywriter
Video Editing
It is a process of rearranging video shots, adding effects and sounds to create a final video. It is a post-production process and includes work like titling, color correction, sound mixing, etc.
Some of the top online courses on video editing are mentioned in the table below:
| Rating | Course Name | Provider | Duration | Course Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery | Udemy | 6.5 hours | INR 3,200 |
| 4.3 | Video Editing Techniques loved by pro broadcast filmmakers | Udemy | 3.5 hours | INR 8,320 |
| 4.6 | Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing | Coursera (Offered by Northwestern) | 36 hours | Free |
| 4.5 | Mastering Final Cut Pro | Coursera (Offered by Learn Quest) | 40 hours | Free |
| 4.7 | Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization | Coursera (Offered by Colorado Boulder) | 4 months | Free |
Video Editing Syllabus
Some of the topics that are included in the video editing courses are mentioned below:
| Import and organize | Video Editing | Audio Editing |
| Transitions, Effects, and Transforming | Titles and Motion Graphics | Color Correction |
| Media Management, Exporting, and Interoperability | 360 Video | - |
Video Editing Job Positions
- Video Editor
- Graphic Designer
- Animator
Online Media Course Fee and Rating Comparison
Some of the top online courses in media are mentioned below. A comparison among them is shown based on the course duration, fee, and rating.
| Course Name | Provider | Duration | Course Fee | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Media Studies | Alison | 10 -15 hours | Free | 4.0 |
| English for Media Literacy | Coursera ( Offered by University of Pennsylvania) | 42 hours | Free | 4.9 |
| Become a Journalist: Report the News! Specialization | Coursera (Offered by Michigan State University) | 6 months | Free | 4.7 |
| Media & Communication training, All bases covered | Udemy | 2.5 hours | INR 5,120 | 4.2 |
| Journalism Skills for Beginners | Udemy | 3.5 hours | INR 1,280 | 4.0 |
Media Course Online Platform Comparison
A comparison among the top two online course platforms has been done in the table below:
| Parameters | Udemy | Coursera |
|---|---|---|
| Course Fee | INR 1,280 | Free |
| Duration | 3.5 hours | 6 months |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.7 |
| Students Enrolled | 516 | 1,786 |
| Created by | Julian Gearing | Michigan State University |
FAQ
Ques. Are media studies a good major to pursue?
Ans. The graduates from media studies can build a career in media, culture, and creative industry. They can find job opportunities in marketing, broadcasting, photography, etc. The average salary in this field is expected to be around INR 4.8 lakh to INR 12 lakh per annum.
Ques. Is media studies and communication the same?
Ans. They are not the same, but they do overlap with each other. Media studies cover the structure, history, output, and effects of various media. Whereas communication deals with how information is transmitted and opinions are formed.
Ques. What are the subjects covered in media studies?
Ans. Some of the modules in media studies include Global digital cultures, International journalism, Community media for social action, Producing and consuming social media, Elements of visual media, Power & resistance, Media morals & ethics, Critical approaches to media, etc.
Ques. Which is better, media studies or journalism?
Ans. Media Studies is a vast field and journalism is one of the modules that is covered in media studies. A major in journalism could be best for those who want to be a journalist or TV presenter. But those who want to explore a range of media options should go for media studies.
Ques. I am not a very creative person, so should I take media studies?
Ans. Though media studies is a creative field there are requirements for analysts and researchers in this big media market. So it is not necessary to be a creative genius to take up courses in media.
Ques. What are the career options after media courses?
Ans. Some of the job options available after completion of courses in media studies are TV Presenter, Advertising media buyer, Copywriter, Media researcher, Broadcast journalist, Write, Social media manager, etc.
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